Is National Culture an Appropriate Unit of Analysis in Cross-Cultural Research?

Yongfeng Zhang(장영봉),Jongwook Kwon(권종욱),Yan Zhou(주암),Peng Wang(왕붕) 연세대학교 경영연구소 2021 연세경영연구 Vol.58 No.3

본 연구는 다문화 연구 분야에서 논란이 되고 있는 구체적인 연구문제를 해결하는 것이 목적이다. 다문화 연구에 있어서 연구의 분석단위가 국가인지 아니면 한 국가내의 지역인지가 논쟁이 되고 있다. 수십 년 동안 다양한 분야의 연구자들이 이러한 이론적 논쟁에 매달려 오고 있다. 본 연구는 Minkov and Hofstede(2012)의 연구 방법과 세계 가치 조사(World Values Survey)의 최신 데이터를 활용하여 비교문화 연구에서 분석의 단위가 국가가 바람직한지 아니면 지역단위가 바람직한지를 검증해 보고자 한다. 이를 위해 슈와르츠 가치관 값을 활용하여 5개 그룹, 19개국 239개 지역의 문화적 가치 차이를 분석한다. 5개 그룹은 아시아, 라틴 아메리카, 동유럽, 아랍 세계, 그리고 영국이 포함된다. 분석결과 국가간 문화차이보다 국가 내 문화적 차이가 큰 경우도 있고(중국·페루·러시아 등) 작은 경우(미국·요르단 등)도 발견되었다. 하지만 전체적으로 국가간 차이보다 지역간 차이가 작아서 비교문화 연구에서 연구의 분석단위는 한 국가 내 지역보다는 국가단위가 바람직한 것으로 나타났다. 또한 시간이 지날수록 국가 클러스터가 모이는 패턴이 달라진다는 사실도 발견했다. 본 연구는 비교문화 연구에서 논쟁이 되고 있는 국가 및 지역 단위의 분석단위 적합성에 대한 이론적 기반을 제공하고 다국적 기업들 간의 시장 전략 수립에 유용할 정보를 제공한다. The purpose of this paper is to address a specific controversial issue in the cross-cultural field: in cross-cultural studies, regarding whether the country or the region should be used as the unit of analysis. Cross-cultural similarities and differences play an important role in many areas of life. Researchers from various fields have been actively dealing with this topic for decades. Based on the research methods of Minkov and Hofstede (2012), and using the latest data from the World Values Survey, based on the Schwartz values, this study analyzes the differences in cultural values among 239 regions of 19 countries taken from five groups: Asia, Latin America, Eastern Europe, the Arab World, and Anglo countries. By analyzing the aggregation of homogeneous and heterogeneous clusters, this paper examines the judgment basis for and use of analytical units in cross-cultural research. The results show that cultural differences within some countries can be larger (e.g, China, Peru, Russia, etc.) or smaller (e.g, United States, Jordan, etc.) than differences among countries. We have also found a pattern of national cluster aggregation will be changed over time. This research provides a reference basis for effectively distinguishing the types of differences in national and regional values and provides theoretical information that will be useful in the formulation of market strategies among multinational companies.

Preparation and characterization of a porous silicate material from silica fume

Yinmin Zhang,Haiping Qi,Yaqiong Li,Yongfeng Zhang,Junmin Sun 한국화학공학회 2017 Korean Journal of Chemical Engineering Vol.34 No.12

A porous silicate material derived from silica fume was successfully prepared and characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, Thermogravimetry and Differential thermal gravity (TG-DTG), N2 adsorption and desorption isotherms, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Raw silica fume was analyzed by XRD, FT-IR and SEM. The analysis results of silica fume indicated that SiO2 in silica fume is mainly determined as amorphous state, and that the particles of raw silica fume exhibited characteristic spherical structure with a diameter of from 50 nm to 200 nm. The preparation of the porous silicate material involved two steps. The first step was the extraction of the SiO3 2− leachate from raw silica fume. The maximum value of SiO3 2− extraction yield was obtained under the following conditions: reaction temperature of 120 oC, reaction time of 120 min, NaOH concentration of 15%, and alkali to SiO2 molar ratio of 2. The second step was the preparation of the porous silicate material though the reaction of SiO3 2− leachate and Ca(OH)2 suspension liquid. The optimum preparation conditions were as follows: preparation temperature of 90 oC, preparation time of 1.5 h, Si/Ca molar ratio of 1 : 1, and stirring rate of 100 r/min. The BET surface area and pore size of the porous silicate material were 220.7m2·g−1 and 8.55 cm3/g, respectively. The porous silicate material presented an amorphous and unordered structure. The spectroscopic results indicated that the porous silicate material was mainly composed of Si, Ca, O, C, and Na, in the form of Ca2+, SiO3 2−, CO3 2− and Na+ ions, respectively, which agreed with the XRD, TG-DSC, and FT-IR data. The N2 adsorption-desorption isotherm mode indicates that the porous silicate material belonged to a typical mesoporous material. The porous silicate material presented efficiency for the removal of formaldehyde: it showed a formaldehyde adsorption capacity of 8.01mg/g for 140 min at 25 oC.

Fabrication of nanoarchitectured TiO₂(B)@C/rGO electrode for 4 V quasi-solid-state nanohybrid supercapacitors

Zhao, Yongfeng,Zhang, Haitao,Liu, Ao,Jiao, Yuzhi,Shim, Jae-Jin,Zhang, Suojiang Elsevier 2017 ELECTROCHIMICA ACTA Vol.258 No.-

<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P>Novel TiO<SUB>2</SUB>(B)@C/rGO nanoarchitectures are fabricated by combining hydrothermal treatment, ions exchange, and topological phase transformation as well as carbon modification. Asymmetric hybrid Li-ion nanohybrids supercapacitors with high energy and power densities are constructed by combining hybridized anode, which can supply both pseudo capacitance from TiO<SUB>2</SUB>(B) and electrochemical double layer capacitance (EDLC) from nanocarbons (graphene nanosheets and amorphous carbon layer), and activated carbon (AC) as EDLC type cathode. The high power density is realized readily via both the modification of nanocarbons, which not only improve the electric conductivity but introduce extra Faradic capacitance, and the employment of high-voltage formulated ionic liquids electrolyte as well as ionogel polymer separator. Such a balanceable and complementary design between electrode and electrolyte allow rapid ion and electron transport in ionic liquid-based electrolyte and hybridized electrodes. The maximum energy and power density of 59.4 W h/kg and 17.3 kW/kg can be readily realized at 40 <SUP>°</SUP>C on account of the special characteristic of ionic liquids. These results clearly demonstrate that high performance nanohybrid supercapacitors can be actualized through the subtle combination of nanohybridized electrodes and high voltage formulated ionic-liquid/lithium-salt electrolytes, which make them promising power-type energy storage devices for hybrid electric vehicles.</P> <P><B>Highlights</B></P> <P> <UL> <LI> High specific capacitive TiO<SUB>2</SUB>(B)@C/rGO nanoarchitetures were successfully synthesized. </LI> <LI> Complete utilization of Faradic and non-Faradic capacitance of nanohybrids was realized by using formulated electrolyte. </LI> <LI> 4 V operating potential was actualized with the presence of ionogel polymer separator. </LI> </UL> </P> <P><B>Graphical abstract</B></P> <P>[DISPLAY OMISSION]</P>

An Enhanced Coupling PD with Sliding Mode Control Method for Underactuated Double-pendulum Overhead Crane Systems

Menghua Zhang,Yongfeng Zhang,Xingong Cheng 제어·로봇·시스템학회 2019 International Journal of Control, Automation, and Vol.17 No.6

An enhanced coupling PD with sliding mode control method, called ECPD-SMC in short, is presented for double-pendulum overhead crane systems in this paper. The proposed method replaces the PD controller with the equivalent part of traditional SMC method, without any system parameters. TheECPD-SMC algorithm is composed of PD control part and the SMC control part. The SMC part is utilized for constructing the frame of a controller, providing strong robustness with uncertain model, different system parameters, and external disturbances. The PD control part is used to stabilize the control system. Moreover, the coupling behavior between the trolley movement and the payload swing is enhanced, and hence, leads to an improved control performance. As shown by Lyapunov techniques and Schur complement, the proposed ECPD-SMC guarantees asymptotic result even in the presence of uncertainties, including model, system parameters, and various disturbances. Some simulation results are included to demonstrate the correctness and superior control performance of the designed controller.

Effect of Grout Properties on Bond Behavior of Grouted Pipe Splice

Yongfeng Zheng,Zhengxing Guo,Xin Zhang 대한토목학회 2018 KSCE JOURNAL OF CIVIL ENGINEERING Vol.22 No.8

The effect of compressive strength and expansion rate of filler grout on bond behavior of grouted pipe splice is discussed. Threetypes of grout were designed and utilized to prepare coupler specimens as filler material. The compressive strength ranged from 67.5to 91.8 MPa. The volume expansion rate changed from -0.023% to -0.037% under airtight curing condition, and from 0.027% to0.057% under water curing condition, respectively. Based on pullout test, it was found that the bond strength and stiffness of groutedsplice both improve with the increment of the expansion rate due to the increased initial confinement. By experimentally measuringthe exterior surface transverse strain of grouted sleeve in curing stage, the confinement and its influencing factor on bondperformance were derived. The confinement increases nonlinearly with the increment of grout shell thickness and sleeve radialstiffness other than grout expansion rate. The diameter-thickness ratio of sleeve should not exceed 13 to avoid a possible debondingfailure at bar-grout interface. Utilizing the calculated confining pressures, the bond strength of the grouted splice was determined andcompared with pullout test result, which shows a good agreement.

Expression of Neurotrophin 4 and Its Receptor Tyrosine Kinase B in Reproductive Tissues during the Follicular and Luteal Phases in Cows

Sun, Yongfeng,Li, Chunjin,Sun, Yanling,Chen, Lu,Liu, Zhuo,Ma, Yonghe,Wang, Chunqiang,Zhang, Wei,Zhou, Xu Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2011 Animal Bioscience Vol.24 No.3

The neurotrophins, required for the survival and differentiation of the nervous system, are known to be important for the development of the reproductive tissues. However, the signals initiating the growth of follicles, gamete development, and transport and the development of zygote in the reproductive system of cows remain ambiguous. The purpose of the present study was to identify the transcripts and proteins of Neurotrophin 4 (NT4) and its receptor tyrosine kinase B (TrkB) in bovine reproductive tissues. The transcripts and immunoreactivity of NT4 and TrkB proteins were detected by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and western blot analysis. Using immunohistochemistry, the specific immunoreactivity of NT4 and TrkB were detected in the oocytes of primordial follicles and in the growing primary follicles. The NT4 and TrkB immunoreactivity was predominantly observed in granulosa cells, cumulus granulosa cells, cumulus oocyte complexes, theca cells of mature follicles, as well as in the oviduct epithelial cells, uterine gland cell, and epithelium cells of the uterus during the follicular and luteal phases in cows. Expressions of NT4 and TrkB mRNAs were not significantly different among the ovary, oviduct, and uterus of the follicular phase. For the luteal phase, the expression of NT4 mRNA in the ovary was significantly higher than that in the oviduct and uterus, and the expression of TrkB mRNA in the oviduct was significantly higher than that in the ovary and uterus, as determined by fluorescence quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. The expression of NT4 mRNA was significantly higher than that of TrkB mRNA in the ovary and uterus, whereas NT4 mRNA expression was lower than that of TrkB mRNA in the oviduct during the luteal phase. The present study hypothesizes that NT4 participates in the regulation of both gonads and extra-gonadal reproductive tissues in cows.

Recycling of Sintered Nd-Fe-B Magnets Doped with PrNd Nanoparticles

Xuefeng Zhang,Fei Liu,Yanli Liu,Qiang Ma,Yongfeng Li,Qian Zhao,Gaofeng Wang,Zhubai Li 한국자기학회 2015 Journal of Magnetics Vol.20 No.2

The waste of sintered Nd-Fe-B magnets was recycled using the method of dopingPrNd nanoparticles. The effect of PrNd nanoparticle doping on the magnetic properties of the regenerated magnets has been studied. As the content of the PrNd nanoparticles increases, the coercivity increases monotonically, whereas both the remanence and the maximum energy products reach the maximum values for 4 wt% PrNd doping. Microstructural observation reveals that the appropriate addition of PrNd nanoparticles improves the magnetic properties and refines the grain. Domain investigation shows that the self-pinning effect of the rare earth (Re)-rich phase is enhanced by PrNd nano-particle doping. Compared to the magnet with 4 wt% PrNd alloy prepared using the dual-alloy method, the regenerated magnet doped with the same number of PrNd nanoparticles exhibits better magnetic properties and a more homogeneous microstructure. Therefore, it is concluded that PrNd nanoparticle doping is an efficient method for recycling the leftover scraps of Nd-Fe-B magnets.

Molecular Phylogenetic Diversity and Spatial Distribution of Bacterial Communities in Cooling Stage during Swine Manure Composting

Guo, Yan,Zhang, Jinliang,Yan, Yongfeng,Wu, Jian,Zhu, Nengwu,Deng, Changyan Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2015 Animal Bioscience Vol.28 No.6

Polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) and subsequent sub-cloning and sequencing were used in this study to analyze the molecular phylogenetic diversity and spatial distribution of bacterial communities in different spatial locations during the cooling stage of composted swine manure. Total microbial DNA was extracted, and bacterial near full-length 16S rRNA genes were subsequently amplified, cloned, RFLP-screened, and sequenced. A total of 420 positive clones were classified by RFLP and near-full-length 16S rDNA sequences. Approximately 48 operational taxonomic units (OTUs) were found among 139 positive clones from the superstratum sample; 26 among 149 were from the middle-level sample and 35 among 132 were from the substrate sample. Thermobifida fusca was common in the superstratum layer of the pile. Some Bacillus spp. were remarkable in the middle-level layer, and Clostridium sp. was dominant in the substrate layer. Among 109 OTUs, 99 displayed homology with those in the GenBank database. Ten OTUs were not closely related to any known species. The superstratum sample had the highest microbial diversity, and different and distinct bacterial communities were detected in the three different layers. This study demonstrated the spatial characteristics of the microbial community distribution in the cooling stage of swine manure compost.

Expression of Human Stem Cell Factor with Recombinant Baculovirus in BmN Cell Line and Silkworm

Xijie, Guo,Yongfeng, Jin,Mingguan, Yang,Yaozhou, Zhang Korean Society of Sericultural Science 2002 International Journal of Industrial Entomology Vol.4 No.1

A recombinant transfer vector pBacSCF was constructed by inserting huamn stem cell factor (hSCF) cDNA into plasmid pBacPAK8. BmN cells were co-transfected with modified Bombyx mori, nuclear polyhedrosis virus (BmBacPAK) DNA and the recmbinant transfer vector to construct a recombinant baculovirus containing hSCE gene. DNA dot blotting and RNA dot blotting demonstrated that the hSCE gene was contained in the recombinant virus and transcribed. The recombinant baculovirus was infectious to BmN cells and to silkworm. SDS-PAGE analysis showed a specific band of expressed product in the extract of infected cells and in the heamolymph of infected larvae. Bioactivity of the recombinant hSCE was determined with W-1 cell line and MTT colorimetric method in synergy with interlukin-3 (IL-3). These results revealed that the hSCF gene was over-expressed in cultured cells and lavae of silkworm.

Experimental Study on the Longitudinal Mechanical Behavior of Shield Tunnel in Soft-Hard Uneven Strata and the Reinforcement Effect of Longitudinal Channel Steel

Tingjin Liu,Shuyi Zhang,Yongfeng Tang,Zhenwei Ye 대한토목학회 2024 KSCE Journal of Civil Engineering Vol.28 No.1

This paper investigates the longitudinal behavior and failure pattern of shield tunnel, as well as the reinforcement mechanism of longitudinal channel steel, using reduced-scale tunnel models assembled with 24 lining rings. The longitudinal behavior of the shield tunnel and the reinforcement effect are discussed in terms of vertical deformation, joint deformation, and concrete cracking. The results indicate that the shield tunnel without reinforcement longitudinallydeforms in a “bending and dislocation” mode, with the failure pattern dominated by bending deformation. In contrast, the failure pattern of the shield tunnel reinforced by channel steels is characterized by brittle shearing dislocation fracture of the circumferential joint. The load at which damage occurs in the reinforced tunnel model is 1.74 times and 2.04 times that of the non-reinforced staggered and straight jointed tunnels. The reinforcement reduces the horizontal convergence discrepancy of lining rings above the soft foundation spring and the adjacent lining rings, which improves the overall integrity of the tunnel structure.